Page 19

HALO

I watched Skye disappear into the cafe, the wind making the skirt of her dress ripple around her calves. “She looks good in your jacket,” I said.

“I told her to keep it,” Rowan said.

With Skye out of sight, I focused on the male alpha before me. “What are your designs on her?” I asked, point blank. “What’s your deal?”

“I don’t have any designs, or a deal. I just wanted to make sure she was alright.”

“Are you trying to weasel your way into a pack?” I asked.

“No. Why are you controlling what she eats?” Rowan countered. “You won’t let her eat her dessert, you made sure she got a rice bowl instead of the baked pasta she wanted.”

“Skye can do whatever she wants,” I said.

“Fine, you encouraged her to have the rice bowl. You’re the model, you’re the one who has to watch her weight.”

My eyes narrowed, but not in anger, more like observation.

“I’m going to choose to believe that you’re coming from a place of concern, not control,” I said, calmly. “I’m coming from that place, too. The truth is that recently, Skye was extremely ill. Monitoring her diet is important. That’s why she passed out into your arms yesterday.”

“Is she going to be alright?” he asked.

“She’s healing. We just have to make sure her diet is low in sugar and fat, and that she doesn’t over-exert herself.”

The scent of blueberries preceded Skye as she returned to the table with a cheerful, “I’m back.

” She smoothed down the rear of her skirt and sat just as the waitress came with our desserts.

I looked at the pie, the chilly little silver cup of ice cream perched next to a picture perfect wedge of flakey, buttery dough and melting saucy apple slices on the plate. Skye held out a spoon for me to take.

“Enjoy.” With a smile, I pushed the plate toward her.

Her eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Don’t make it a habit,” I said. “And I’d like a bite.”

“Of course,” Skye was already piling the spoon full of crust, apples and ice cream for me.

The table gently rumbled as Rowan pushed his plate over toward me.

I put my hand up. “No, that’s okay.”

“It’s fine,” Rowan said. “I think you’d enjoy it more than me.”

I took the lip of Rowan’s plate in my thumb and index finger and drew it closer. “Well… thank you.” I spooned some up and had a bite. It was heavenly.

Once dessert was finished, Rowan pulled out his wallet. “I got this.”

“You don’t need to,” Skye began.

“That’s not necessary,” I said. After all, he was just a barista. I wasn’t wealthy, but I could easily handle our lunch.

“I want to,” Rowan said.

I didn’t have it in me to argue, especially after Skye spoke up.

“That’s very kind of you,” she said.

We all rose from the table and parted ways with hand shakes. Skye seemed a little demure and shy taking his hand. Something was missing. Something was off. Not bad, just off, and I couldn’t put my finger on it.

Skye and I walked slowly back to the house, meandering and casual.

“So, what did you think?” Skye hooked some hair behind her ear and gazed up at me.

“He’s nice,” I conceded.

“Do you… like him?” she pressed.

I considered the question. “I don’t dislike him. I think I could learn to like him.”

“Do you think Crux and Severen would like him?”

I snorted. “No.”

Skye’s expression of yearning faltered. “That’s alright. I’ll probably never see him again, anyway.”

As soon as she said it, though, her bluebells and berries turned sour and wilted, the sort of perfume that signified disappointment. I put a hand on her bare shoulder, Rowan’s jacket hanging off stylishly.

“Hey. You’re right. Packs grow all the time. And you like him.”

“Did you feel drawn to him?” Skye asked me.

“No. But, I see how he made you feel comfortable.” Then, all at once I knew what was off. It was so blatant I didn’t understand how I didn’t see it earlier. “And… strangely, I wasn’t feeling alpha possessive. At all. I can’t explain it.”

Skye’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“But,” I began firmly. “You have to tell Crux and Severen before you go any further with Rowan. You don’t even know if he wants to be part of our pack. Or your alpha, or part of any pack at all. And the guys are going to be very reluctant.”

“Or, they might not be possessive, like you weren’t,“ Skye pointed out.

“I wouldn’t count on it. Especially Crux.”

Skye let out a breath. “I know, I know.”

We walked in silence, Skye running her fingers under her scarf and across the neckline of her dress, and over the scar. “Can I at least wait until after my check up tomorrow? I don’t want the added stress. Please?”

I nodded. “I think that’s a good idea. You just focus on the appointment. Then we’ll think about expanding the pack. One thing at a time.”